Aarons: Rangers showed title-winning qualities in Champions League qualifier
Russell Martin's side came through a tough moment in Athens after the hosts finally capitalised on some sustained pressure to halve their aggregate deficit with a 53rd-minute opener.
Substitute Djeidi Gassama levelled on the hour mark – moments after coming off the bench – to net his second goal of the tie and seal a 3-1 aggregate win, which set up a third qualifying-round encounter with Viktoria Plzen.
Aarons, who arrived on loan from Bournemouth this summer, told Rangers TV: 'It was extremely difficult, coming to Athens against a team at the top end of their league it is always going to be extremely difficult and then you add the weather in.
'We knew what we were coming into and I think we always knew it was going to be a different game to what it was at Ibrox, and we had to grind it out for sure.
'It is interesting because it is so early on in our time as a group. It is definitely a test and we really came through it.
'I think we grew into the game in the first leg, we grew into the game in this game as well. It is a great test for us and seeing this group can dig in.
'You need to dig in to win leagues, to win cup competitions and get as far as you can.
'You have to look to the side and know everyone is going to battle and I think we definitely showed that, which is really good to see.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Oliver Antman to Rangers is ON as transfer fee agreed for Go Ahead Eagles winger to become signing number nine
The Finland winger is en route to Glasgow after the Ibrox side agreed a £3million deal with Go Ahead Eagles. Rangers are on the brink of securing Oliver Antman as the club's ninth summer signing. The Finland winger is en route to Glasgow after the Ibrox side agreed a £3million deal with Go Ahead Eagles. Antman revealed earlier this week he had his eyes set on a switch away from the KNVB Cup winners with the top five leagues in Europe on his radar. However, Antman left the door ajar for important projects from elsewhere and now the 23-year-old has said yes to Russell Martin's project led by Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers. The finer details are currently being ironed out but Antman is expected to become a Rangers player in the near future. Antman will become the third winger signed after the arrivals of Djeidi Gassama and Tottenham prodigy Mikey Moore on a season-long loan deal. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
Scottish Sun
4 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Lennon Miller transfer latest as in-demand Scotland star left out of Motherwell squad vs Rangers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOTHERWELL star Lennon Miller has been left out of the squad for the Scottish Premiership curtain raiser against Rangers. The teenager, who had a stunning season last term, is on the verge of quitting Fir Park, with a number of European clubs competing for his signature. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 1 Lennon Miller left out of Motherwell side with huge interest in young talent Credit: SNS Reports in Italy suggest Torino are the latest club to be linked with the 18-year-old midfielder, with Udinese and Bologna also looking to secure his services. The Steelmen boss Jens Berthel Askou had refused to rule out his involvement before the game. But Miller, the son of former footballer Lee, hasn't even made the bench. The starlet who is valued at around £5million played in the club's pre-season friendlies but was absent from the Premier Sports Cup with a minor injury. Miller is at Fir Park and was seen speaking to Scotland and Motherwell legend James McFadden before the game MORE TO FOLLOW... Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Truth behind Liverpool's Alexander Isak transfer stance as Newcastle fear comes to light
Alexander Isak is to join his Newcastle team-mates next week after the Magpies rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool but his future appears far from certain at St James' Park Newcastle fear Liverpool are ready to play the same waiting game that once landed Virgil van Dijk in their bid to take £150million-rated striker Alexander Isak to Anfield. The Premier League champions have indicated they are prepared to park their interest in the Swedish international after seeing a £110million bid rejected by the Toon. Isak has set his sights on a move to Merseyside and has been using the training facilities at former club Real Sociedad while his team-mates are on a pre-season tour of Asia after missing the trip with a minor thigh injury. The 25-year-old risks alienating the St James' Park fans despite reassurances from manager Eddie Howe that he still has the full support of the club. If the relationship sours then that would crank up the pressure on the Tyneside club to allow Isak to get his wish by doing a deal with the Reds. Liverpool have been here before with Van Dijk. They backed off from making a move for the Dutchman when Southampton reported them to the Premier League over their conduct during negotiations in the summer of 2017. The complaint was dropped when Jurgen Klopp went public to declare their interest in the defender over - but five months later Van Dijk was snapped up for £75million. Former Saints chairman Ralph Krueger admitted that the saga had 'created an earthquake' at St Mary's. If Newcastle 's Saudi owners feel they are being manoeuvred into a tough position then it might backfire on both Liverpool and Isak. But boss Howe is keen to build on the optimism of ending Toon's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy last season and qualifying for the Champions League. He has been careful not to close the door on his best player returning to the fold. Howe, whose team face Tottenham in Seoul on Sunday, said: 'I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home. "I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation. 'I really don't know what is going to happen next but, from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again. 'I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it's difficult for me to go into any detail. The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say." Newcastle are confident they have edged ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign RB Leipzig's Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko after tabling a bid worth £70million, including add-ons. If they are successful then that will encourage Liverpool to believe that they can land Isak in this transfer window despite investing almost £300million in strengthening Arne Slot 's title-winning squad. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
